Stomping Ground MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 165
2013-02-01 - Number 247
2015-10-02 - Number 9
2019-01-25 - Number 259p
2019-01-25 - Number 259
2022-10-07 - Number 531
2022-10-07 - Number 280
2024-01-12 - Number 289
2024-01-12 - Number 413z
2024-01-12 - Number 299
2024-01-12 - Number 413
2024-02-23 - Number 281
2002-06-24 - Number 72313
2019-12-02 - Number 126
| Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land — Mountain Forest |
Text of card
(: Add or to your mana pool.) As Stomping Ground comes into play, you may pay 2 life. If you don't, Stomping Ground comes into play tapped instead.
Cards like Stomping Ground
Stomping Ground has become a staple in many decks across MTG, prized for its ability to tap for both red and green mana without entering the battlefield tapped if you pay 2 life. Its closest relatives in terms of functionality are the other “shock lands” such as Overgrown Tomb and Sacred Foundry. Like Stomping Ground, these lands offer the option to enter the battlefield untapped at a life cost, making them incredibly versatile and valuable in multicolored decks.
Comparable too are “fetch lands” like Windswept Heath which can search your library for a land type, like a Mountain or Forest, which includes dual lands like Stomping Ground. While fetch lands can offer even greater deck thinning and mana fixing abilities, they differ by putting lands into play tapped unless combined with shock lands. Lastly, the “check lands” like Rootbound Crag, may enter untapped if you control a Mountain or Forest. They offer similar benefits but without the life cost. However, their dependency on having another land type can limit their early game flexibility compared to Stomping Ground.
The strategic advantage provided by Stomping Ground in enabling aggressive starts and maintaining tempo can’t be understated. This land’s versatility solidifies its position as a top-tier choice within MTG’s mana bases.
Cards similar to Stomping Ground by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Stomping Ground. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Prowess | Modern | Gruul Prowess | Modern League 2024-04-25 |
 | 4c Omnath | Modern | 4/5c Omnath | Modern League 2024-04-24 |
 | Asmo Food | Modern | Asmo Food | Modern League 2024-04-25 |
 | Temur Prowess | Modern | Temur Prowess | Modern League 2024-04-23 |
 | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer League 2024-04-24 |
 | Amulet Titan | Modern | Amulet Titan | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-24 (1) |
 | Indomitable Creativity | Modern | Indomitable Creativity | Modern League 2024-04-24 |
| WRG | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-24 | |
 | Naya Scapeshift | Modern | Naya Scapeshift | Modern League 2024-04-24 |
 | Jund Saga | Modern | Jund Saga | Modern League 2024-04-24 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stomping Ground doesn’t directly let you draw cards, but being part of a well-structured mana base gives you access to the spells you need when you need them. Consistency in your land drops equates to smoother play and, by extension, card advantage as you’re less likely to be stuck with uncastable cards in hand.
Resource Acceleration: As a dual land card that can be searched with land fetch spells, Stomping Ground accelerates your resources by ensuring you have the necessary types of mana. This expedites your game plan, allowing for more significant plays ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: While Stomping Ground itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it enables instant speed plays by providing crucial mana. With both red and green mana available, it bolsters your ability to respond to opponents’ actions or end-of-turn tactics, which are often pivotal in the pace of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Stomping Ground does not have a traditional discard requirement, it presents a choice upon entry. You must decide between having it enter the battlefield tapped, which delays utilization, or paying 2 life for immediate use. In tight situations, this choice could be a distinct disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Stomping Ground taps for red or green mana, which is fantastic for decks that align with these colors. However, this specificity means it’s not a universal land card, limiting its versatility in multicolor decks that do not include red or green.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In terms of utility lands, Stomping Ground stands out for its dual mana capabilities. Nonetheless, the cost of potentially paying 2 life or waiting a turn for an untapped state makes it a costly addition, especially when compared to basic lands or those with less stringent entry conditions.
Reasons to Include Stomping Ground in Your Collection
Versatility: Stomping Ground is a versatile land card that taps for both red and green mana, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into Gruul and other multicolor decks without slowing down your mana curve.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations that thrive on having access to multiple mana types early on. It can enable explosive plays by unlocking powerful multicolor spells ahead of the curve.
Meta-Relevance: Given its staple status in numerous competitive formats, Stomping Ground is often sought after. Its presence can greatly influence the pace and strength of your game, keeping you relevant in an ever-changing MTG meta.
How to beat
Stomping Ground is a notable land card in Magic: The Gathering, praised for its ability to tap for both red and green mana, and its classification as a Mountain Forest allows it to be fetched with land search cards. While its versatility is undeniable, overcoming the advantage it provides is not insurmountable.
To neutralize the benefits of Stomping Ground, land destruction spells can be a direct approach. Cards such as Ghost Quarter and Field of Ruin can target Stomping Ground and remove it from the battlefield. This method can disrupt an opponent’s mana base, especially if they are relying on the card for multicolored mana. Additionally, playing cards that restrict land usage like Blood Moon can transform Stomping Ground into a basic land, negating its dual nature and potentially hampering an opponent’s strategy.
Moreover, including cards that punish the use of nonbasic lands, like Price of Progress, can turn an opponent’s land choice into a liability. Players should be mindful of the timing and strategic deployment of these options to maximize their effectiveness against cards like Stomping Ground, thereby maintaining a level playing field and perhaps even tilting the odds in their favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stomping Ground MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Guildpact, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Stomping Ground and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Stomping Ground Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by 8 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 72313 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cliff Childs | ||
| 2 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 165 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 3 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 247 | 2003 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 4 | 2015-10-02 | Zendikar Expeditions | EXP | 9 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Min Yum | |
| 5 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance Promos | PRNA | 259p | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 6 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 259 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 7 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 126 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | ||
| 8 | 2022-10-07 | Unfinity | UNF | 531 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Bruce Brenneise | |
| 9 | 2022-10-07 | Unfinity | UNF | 280 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Bruce Brenneise | |
| 10 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 289 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 11 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 413z | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 12 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 299 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Cliff Childs | |
| 13 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 413 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 14 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 281 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Leon Tukker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stomping Ground has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stomping Ground card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | If an effect puts this land onto the battlefield tapped, you may pay 2 life, but it still enters tapped. |
| 2018-10-05 | Unlike most dual lands, this land has two basic land types. It's not basic, so cards such as District Guide can't find it, but it does have the appropriate land types for effects such as that of Drowned Catacomb (from the Ixalan set). |